AL Wild Card Schedule 2012: When and Where to Catch Epic Play-in Game

Major League Baseball is about to make history with a new way to kick off the postseason, and if you miss it, all your friends are going to make fun of you.

Yeah, I said it.

Luckily, as the MLB gets set to introduce its epic do-or-die wild-card playoff game, we've got all the viewing information so you don't have to risk missing the newest chapter in the history books.

Who ya got?

BaltimoreTexasSubmit Votevote to see results

Who ya got?

Baltimore

70.2%

Texas

29.8%

Total votes: 84

Call in sick to work, quit, call in sick to dinner with your wife or family, I don't care what you do. Just don't miss this game.

Who: Baltimore Orioles vs Texas Rangers

Where: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX

When: Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

For a look at the NL wild-card schedule and the rest of the playoff schedule, check out MLB.com.

Baltimore Orioles Hitter to Watch: Chris Davis

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

In Baltimore's final game of the season, Chris Davis didn't hit a home run.

Normally I don't feel the need to include a sentence of that nature, but considering it was the first time since September 25 that Davis played a game and didn't homer, I felt like it needed to be said.

Yes, the enigmatic lefty will strike out a lot, as evidenced by his insane 29.7 K%, but he's swinging a hot—nay, smoldering—bat and is a threat to go deep every time he steps up to the plate (33 homers, .501 slugging percentage), especially in the hitter's haven that is the Ballpark in Arlington.

Texas Rangers Hitter to Watch: Ian Kinsler

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Despite what the last few weeks may suggest, the Rangers still have the most deadly lineup in all of baseball, and as such, you could pick any hitter, top-to-bottom, to keep your eye on.

Naturally, I'll go with Ian Kinsler, who is hitting a robust .185/.302/.278 over his last 14 games with one home run and one RBI in 63 plate appearances.

My reasoning? Law of Averages.

Kinsler, who hit .257 with 19 home runs (a down year, clearly, but still nothing to scoff at), can't keep pooping his pants every game. He's too good. In fact, his 12.7 BB% and 9.5 K% over this rough patch suggest that he's still seeing the ball perfectly fine, and a breakout is coming.

I'm banking that the breakout comes during his most important game of the season.